Intra-community movement and importation

Intra-community movement and importation of live equidae are regulated by European Union Council Directive 2009/156/EC.

For movement within the European Community, animals:

• must not be intended for slaughter under a national programme of infectious or contagious disease eradication;
• must be identified by means of an identification document, as provided for in Directive 90/427/EEC, concerning the zootechnical and genealogical conditions governing intra-Community trade in equidae;
• must not come from a holding subject to a prohibition order relative to an infectious or contagious disease.

In addition, equidae registered or likely to be registered in a studbook must undergo inspection 48 hours before movement and must not show any signs of disease or have been in contact with equidae infected with a contagious disease in the 15 days immediately preceding inspection.

With respect to dourine, the health certificate accompanying the animal must specify that for at least six months from the date of the last possible contact with an infected equid, the animal has not been stabled with or had any contact with any equidae from a holding which was subject to prohibition for animal health reasons. In the case of a stallion, the prohibition shall apply until the animal is castrated. Equidae must therefore not come from a holding subject to prohibition for animal health reasons or have been in contact with animals from such a holding.  

In the case of equine infectious anaemia, the prohibition applies until the date on which, the infected animals having been slaughtered, the remaining animals have shown a negative reaction to two Coggins tests carried out three months apart.

For importations of animals from third countries, the exporting country must be included in the list of authorised countries. Authorisations are agreed on the basis of the health situation of exporting countries and take account of the guarantees they can provide with respect to animal health and welfare. Exporting countries must have been free for six months from dourine.